Christmas Eve looked different depending on which politician's social media feed you followed. President Donald Trump spent his splitting time between wholesome Santa-tracker phone calls with kids and a decidedly less wholesome social media post that turned holiday cheer into an economic victory lap and political attack.

Politics Takes Center Stage In Holiday Message

Trump's Christmas greeting wasn't exactly the stuff of Hallmark cards. "Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left... that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly," he wrote. The message continued with a list of policy reversals he's celebrating: "We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women's Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement."

But the real thrust was economic bragging rights. Trump pointed to what he called a "Record Stock Market and 401K's, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected." He credited tariffs with delivering "Trillions of Dollars in Growth and Prosperity" and proclaimed America has "the strongest National Security we have ever had." The sign-off? "We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!!! President DJT."

The Commerce Department does confirm that third-quarter GDP growth hit 4.3%, which beat expectations. The "no inflation" claim is trickier though. Economists point out that inflation is running around 2.7%, and some of that GDP surge reflects temporary factors related to trade and defense spending rather than sustained economic momentum.

Santa Calls Provide a Breather From Politics

Earlier that evening, Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined NORAD's annual Santa-tracking tradition from Florida, chatting with children about wish lists and Santa's journey. It was a lighter, more conventional presidential moment.

Other Leaders Keep It Traditional

Most other political figures stuck to the standard holiday playbook. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden shared a simple photo with the caption, "Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas Eve filled with love."

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posted a picture with her husband, Bruce Mann, and their dog Bailey. She mentioned they named him after George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life, hoping he'd "stand up to Big Bank executives too," while wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a clip of National Guard personnel sporting Christmas hats on patrol, writing, "Merry Christmas to our warriors — America's best."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) Press Office took a different approach, continuing to needle Trump and his administration through AI-generated "Christmas Wish Lists." The post aimed at Trump read, "Merry Griftmas, Donald! Christmas for the peasants, crypto for the president."